Lorenzo, the research project inverstigated the role of women in Muslim societies, (e.g the significance of wearing the burka (mask and headscarf) and the kumbong (headscarf) and how do women percieve this kind of external practice) It discussed tangible cultural practices such as women's clothing, social graces and manners through womens' role in the family, in the society. It also described the evolution of Maranao Muslim society and how do they adapt to change.
They have still stong traditional beliefs, that women's hairs literally is an object of sin. On the otherhand, some men would view it as a indication of a woman's respectability. It reflects chastity and purity, and that every inch of the woman's flesh and hair is sacred. So there are two sides of the coin, a negative connotation that women general are object of temptation, and a positive gesture of respect. Women were not allowed to talk to a man who is not a relative of her. The situation posed a great challenge to the researchers. Luckily, I personally knew a Muslim development worker there. The atmosphere in the Maranao cummunity in Lanao is very conservative. We needed to wear the kumbong when we conducted the enthography. It was harder for me and you know the reason why.We lived there for a month, shared their food, observed their life and documented their culture.
Patriarchy is stronger in Muslim societies. The sole decision maker is the man. Through my association with female muslim colleagues here in Europe, Ive realized how powerful the role of men is in Muslim communities. A Muslim colleague of mine even needed a written permission of her husband to study in Europe or to travel anywhere else, otherwise she would not be permitted by their immigration office to leave.
The muslim community in the Philippines is struggling to adapt to change, they are still bounded by strict observance of their cultural practices, traditions and beliefs. Adapting to change while preserving cultural practices is something that is hard to achieve. More so, culture should not be viewed by an outsider. Otherwise, this would be ethnocentrism. We are uncomfortable of muslims practice of polygamy but we cannot judge it if it is morally upright or not because this is their culture.
There are so many things that can be discussed on this matter. Even the one month of stay was not enough to concretely describe culture on the lens of gender.
Gender is a very sensitive topic. Other social issues have general understanding but a clearer perspective of gender on all classes cannot be drawn. All world leaders agree that there is a need to care for the environment but not all leaders would accept a change of social setting and redefinition of social roles. This is inimical to their roles, and interests on power. We must also reflect that women are still unrepresented in decision-making bodies. We are prompted to act based on our respective social roles. But there is a historical and socio-cultural revolution which is in the process of continued evolution.
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